Readiness and Preparatory Support

GCF's Readiness Programme provides resources for countries and Direct Access Entities to efficiently engage with GCF

The Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme supports country-driven initiatives to strengthen their institutional capacities, governance mechanisms, and planning and programming frameworks towards a transformational long-term climate action agenda.

Readiness support is provided to developing country Parties of the UNFCCC through the National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and/or focal points. Readiness funding can also be deployed to strengthen Direct Access Entities.

  • Number of Readiness requests approved 897

  • Number of countries covered 142

  • Number of Direct Access Entities supported 13

  • Total resources approved for Readiness in USD $ 778 million

Data as of 17 July 2026

Readiness: A new approach

Managing the world’s largest climate action capacity building program has taught us many lessons.

GCF greatly values the feedback and insights provided by its partners, which have informed the development of the Readiness Strategy 2024-2027. Building on the achievements and lessons learned from previous implementation, the new strategy marks a transition to a more programmatic approach to Readiness support.

In developing the strategy and its operational modalities, GCF has been guided by the following key principles:

  • The Readiness programme supports developing countries in strengthening their institutional capacities, planning and programming frameworks to advance a transformational long-term climate action agenda.

    This includes the development of low-emission and climate-resilient strategies, multi-stakeholder engagement and coordination for climate planning and programming, and knowledge-sharing and learning, to eventually contribute to the achievement of commitments made by developing countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as articulated in their respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plan (NAPs) and other Long-Term Strategies (LTSs), and other relevant national commitments and processes under the Convention, in alignment with GCF’s mandates.

  • The Readiness Programme enhances efficiency, predictability, and ease of access through simplified processes and a four-year programming approach.

    To follow the USP-2 intentions of ensuring predictability, speed, simplicity, complementarity, volume and direct access, the Readiness Programme has streamlined the modalities (Country and DAE Support Modalities), objectives (from five to three objectives) and processes. Additionally, the Readiness programme has shifted from annual grant cycles to a four-year, medium-term integrated planning framework for climate mitigation and adaptation, enabling more strategic and coordinated programming.

  • The Readiness Programme delivers support tailored to countries' specific needs.

    The Readiness Programme provides tailored support to SIDS and LDCs to address their specific human and institutional capacity constraints. It emphasizes ensuring the sustainability of readiness investments by embedding institutional capacities, systems, and knowledge within national institutions, enabling countries to engage effectively with the GCF over the long term and advance the implementation of their climate priorities. To further strengthen country ownership and sustained institutional capacity, countries may request the placement of a GCF Liaison Officer within a national institution to facilitate engagement with the GCF and support the implementation of readiness activities.

Scope of readiness support

Readiness is now more firmly focused on delivering measurable, tangible outcomes that align country priorities and the GCF Strategic Plan 2024-2027. 

Provided below are examples of support areas grouped around each objective and outcome. If you require more detailed guidance, please refer to the Revised Readiness Results Management Handbook and the Guides on Strategic Planning of Readiness Support under the Country and the DAE support modalities.

Objective 1 – Institutional strengthening and strategic frameworks

The readiness portfolio target is set at 30% to ensure fit-for-purpose support with building the foundations, such as strategic frameworks, coordination mechanisms for climate action, and direct access entities’ support.

Outcome 1.1

Developing countries, through NDAs or focal points, have enhanced capacity to fulfil their roles, responsibilities and policy requirements, including coordination mechanisms to engage relevant stakeholders to develop, advance, and implement NDCs, NAPs, LTS.

Outcome 1.2

Developing countries design and implement strategic frameworks (including NDC/NAP/LTS), policies and instruments, including climate investment plans, to create enabling environments for integrated climate investments.

Outcome 1.3

Direct access applicants and accredited entities (DAEs) have met and maintained the accreditation standards of the GCF and strengthened their programming capacities, as evidenced by the development of GCF-funded activities.

Objective 2 – Pipeline development and implementation

The readiness portfolio target is set at 60% to be clear about GCF’s renewed focus on developing a results-driven investment pipeline and commitment to developing programming and implementation capacities and direct access.

Outcome 2.1

Developing countries have developed or updated their country programmes to guide investments with GCF and beyond.

Outcome 2.2

Developing countries have developed high-quality concept notes linked to approved GCF proposals for adaptation and mitigation, including through DAEs, that build on readiness support and country programmes.

Outcome 2.3

NDAs and DAEs have enhanced processes and systems to effectively oversee the implementation, financial management, monitoring and reporting of climate programmes and projects.

Objective 3 – Knowledge-sharing & learning

The readiness portfolio target is set at 10% to provide laser-sharp focus on impactful and carefully crafted activities that maximise knowledge sharing and learning.

Outcome 3.1

Developing countries, through NDAs or focal points, have made use of knowledge products to address policy gaps and integrated climate investment programming and implementation.

Outcome 3.2

Enhanced collaboration among developing countries on climate change issues, evidenced by transboundary and regional cooperations/South-South cooperation.